Cancer Services Network Information

Cancer Services Network was founded in 1998 when Dr. Victor Hirsch made known his desire to establish a non-profit foundation to receive and distribute monies to enhance the treatment and care of cancer patients who were found to be in need. He asked Barbara Terrell, Laura Oldenberg, Carol Haynes, and Pat Aneff to facilitate the establishment of this foundation. The first meeting for this purpose was held in June of 1998 at the Texas Cancer Center. At this meeting the mission of the foundation was established "to provide a mechanism to enhance the treatment and care of cancer patients". The name "Gifts of Hope" was chosen for the foundation from the responses to an in-house contest. The winning name was submitted by Tina Betcher, a research assistant to Laura Oldenberg. Although the foundation was the brainchild of Dr. Victor Hirsch, the foundation was established to assist all cancer patients in Abilene and the Big Country area obtaining treatment. Original board members selected were: Jim Aneff, Sherry Hirsch, Paul Rankin, Dr. Marianna Rasco, Ken Rasco, and Paul Rotenberry. The first board meeting was held on November 5, 1998. Through their efforts, CSN became operational with assistance provided by Cancer Care Services in Ft. Worth. The first Executive Director was hired in January of 2001, and offices were opened on April 1, 2002 to start receiving clients. During that first year, CSN served five clients. Cancer Services Network has experienced a significant increase in demand for services through the years. Today, CSN is West Central Texas' only nonprofit cancer assistance organization that provides direct services to cancer patients.